Polling Staff, Voter Apprehended At Polling Precinct in Monrovia

Monrovia - A National Election Commission (NEC) poll worker was arrested Tuesday morning after she was accused of giving two pre-marked ballot papers to a voter at the Rev. Mother Sarah School System on Duport Road Zubah Town, Paynesville.

Report by Bettie Johnson-Mbayo, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The suspect was identified as Cynthia Ballah. Flomo Henry, NEC’s public information officer, said the NEC received a report of the incident, but he could not confirm the allegation.

“I can’t say if it belongs to the NEC, but the case is currently at the Liberia National Police headquarter.”

Flomo said the LNP informed the NEC that a young man wascaught trying to cast two ballot papers, and he told authorities that Ballah gave him the ballot papers to put in the ballot box along with his ballot paper. Ballah denied the allegation.

An LNP assigned at the polling place who asked not to be named, said the two ballot papers had NEC stamp on them.

The officer said he took Ballah and the man caught with the ballot papers outside and called police headquarters to alert senior officers.

The woman is being detained at the police station while the investigation is ongoing.

Eyewitnesses who were in the line when the incident occurred confirmed the arrest.

Peter Walker said he was fourth in line when the officer asked that he moves out of the way, so he could escort the suspects outside.

“The lady had her face covered because she never wanted anyone to take her photo,’’ he said.

“What she did I really don’t know.”

Report of the incident began circulating on social media shortly after it occurred.

The photos showed Ballah as she was escorted by police in vehicle.

There were photos of the pre-marked ballots with a thumb print marked for the Coalition for Democratic Change headed by Senator George Weah.